Coronary Artery Disease

What is Coronary Artery Disease?

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a common type of heart disease that affects the main blood vessels supplying blood to the heart. It involves the narrowing or blocking of your coronary arteries, which supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart. This happens due to the buildup of plaque in your arteries, limiting how much blood can reach your heart.

With CAD, you may not notice anything is wrong until the plaque triggers a blood clot. The clot acts as a barrier, stopping blood flow, which may cause a heart attack. This is why CAD is commonly known as a ‘silent killer’.

There are two main forms of CAD:

Stable ischemic heart disease: This is the chronic form of CAD, where your coronary arteries gradually narrow over many years. Over time, your heart receives less oxygen-rich blood and you may experience some symptoms.

Acute coronary syndrome: A sudden form of CAD that is a medical emergency. The plaque in your coronary artery suddenly ruptures and forms a blood clot that blocks blood flow to your heart. This abrupt blockage causes a heart attack.
 

Signs and Symptoms

You may not experience symptoms of CAD for a long time. Plaque buildup happens over many years but as your arteries get narrower, you may start noticing mild symptoms. These symptoms signal your heart pumping harder to deliver oxygen-rich blood to your body.

Symptoms of chronic CAD include:

1. Stable angina: The most common symptom, stable angina is temporary chest pain or discomfort that comes and goes in a predictable pattern. It may happen during periods of physical activity or emotional distress.
2. Shortness of breath: Some people may experience shortness of breath during light physical activity.
    

Complications

The main complication of CAD is a heart attack, a medical emergency that can be fatal without prompt medical attention to restore blood flow to your heart. Other complications you may experience include:

• Arrhythmias
• Cardiac arrest
• Heart failure
   

Heart Disease: Why It Matters

According to the World Health Organization, cardiovascular disease – a term that encompasses all types of heart disease and stroke – is the leading cause of death worldwide. It takes an estimated 17.9 million lives each year, representing 32% of global deaths. Dr. Gerard Leong discusses the ins and outs of heart diseases.

Read the story

Understanding Heart Health: Your Guide to Diagnosis, Treatment, and Support

The heart is one of the most important organs in the human body. Located in the chest on the left, the heart pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients.

A healthy heart is essential to good health. In fact, a healthy human heart beats about 100,000 times a day, with an average adult’s heart beating about 60 to 80 times per minute.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a term that houses all conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels.

Empowering Yourself with Knowledge

This resource provides information about heart health, including:

• Importance of Heart Health: Understand the importance of maintaining your heart health.
• Common Heart Disease: Learn about the different types of common heart diseases and their characteristics.
• Key Risk Factors: Explore various modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that may leave you susceptible to heart disease.
• Ways to Improve Heart Health: Learn about lifestyle factors and preventive measures to minimize your risk of heart disease.

What is Heart Health?

Heart health is the overall well-being of your cardiovascular system, which consists of your heart and blood vessels. It encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and management of conditions that affect the heart and circulatory system, collectively known as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A healthy heart functions to efficiently pump blood throughout your body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your organs and tissues. It is important to maintain good heart health for your overall well-being and longevity.

Importance of Heart Health

• CVDs are a leading cause of death globally, making heart health crucial for overall health.
• Poor heart health can lead to various cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), including heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and arrhythmias.

What Causes Heart Disease?

Heart disease is caused by a complex interplay of factors, including:

• Non-Modifiable Factors: Age, gender, ethnicity, family history, and inherited genetic mutations.
• Modifiable Factors:
  • Lifestyle: Diet, physical inactivity, smoking, and alcohol consumption.
  • Health: Pre-existing conditions (i.e., diabetes), obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol

Symptoms of Heart

Disease Heart disease symptoms vary depending on the type of heart disease. However, some general signs and symptoms include:

• Chest pains
• Shortness of breath
• Heart palpitations
• Fatigue
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or light-headedness

Important Note: These symptoms may also be indicative of other health conditions. Speak to our Specialists today for a proper evaluation and diagnosis.

Common Heart Diseases in Singapore

• Coronary Artery Disease is the most common heart disease and happens due to blockages in your coronary arteries.
• Heart Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats, which can be too fast (tachycardia), too slow (bradycardia), or irregular.
• Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, can lead to serious complications like heart attacks, strokes, and kidney disease.
• Congenital Heart Disease are heart defects present at birth due to abnormal heart development during pregnancy.
• Heart Failure occurs when the heart muscle is weakened or damaged and can't pump blood effectively to meet the body's needs.

Improving Heart Health

Here are some helpful ways to improve your heart health: